MacBook Air M4: New Color, Slashed Price, and AI Power

March 6, 2025 Nav

On March 5, 2025, the tech giant Apple announced a significant upgrade to its most popular laptop, featuring the brand-new M4 chip, a fresh “sky blue” color, and a surprising price drop, making it more accessible than ever before.

A Bold Price Drop and a Splash of Color

The most immediate and impactful change is the price. Starting at just $999 ($899 for education), the new MacBook Air M4 undercuts its predecessor by a substantial $100, a clear signal that Apple is aiming for broader adoption. This pricing, coupled with the introduction of the elegant sky blue color, a metallic light blue that shifts with the light, adds vibrancy to the lineup of midnight, starlight, and silver. Each color option now comes with a matching MagSafe charging cable, a small but appreciated detail.

The Power of M4: A Leap in Performance

The new MacBook Air is powered by the M4 chip, Apple’s latest silicon innovation. This processor promises a substantial performance upgrade, with a 10-core CPU and an up to 10-core GPU, along with support for up to 32GB of unified memory. Apple claims the M4 chip delivers up to 2x faster speeds compared to the M1-powered MacBook Air and a staggering 23x faster performance compared to the fastest Intel-based models.

This results to smoother workflows, quicker rendering times, and an overall more responsive user experience.

Apple’s claims are backed by specific performance metrics, highlighting significant improvements in various applications:

Microsoft Excel: 4.7x faster spreadsheet calculations compared to Intel-based models.
iMovie: 8x faster video editing compared to Intel-based models.
Adobe Photoshop: 3.6x faster photo editing compared to Intel-based models.
Web Browsing: 60% faster compared to Intel Core Ultra 7 powered PC laptops.

AI-Powered by Apple Intelligence

The M4’s powerful Neural Engine, three times faster than the M1’s, unlocks the potential of Apple Intelligence, integrating AI directly into the macOS Sequoia experience. This allows for features like Image Playground for creative image generation, Genmoji for custom emojis, and Writing Tools for enhanced text editing. Siri is also significantly enhanced, becoming more conversational and capable of answering complex questions about Mac features and settings.

A key highlight is the seamless integration of ChatGPT into Writing Tools and Siri, offering users the option to access its expertise without needing a separate account. Apple emphasizes privacy, ensuring IP addresses are obscured and OpenAI does not store requests. Users have full control over when and how they use ChatGPT.

Enhanced Features for a Modern Workflow

Beyond the chip and color, Apple has also focused on enhancing the user experience. The new 12MP Center Stage camera ensures users look their best during video calls, while Desk View allows for simultaneous display of the user and their desk. The MacBook Air now supports up to two 6K external displays, a significant improvement for multitasking professionals and students.

macOS Sequoia: A Seamless Ecosystem

macOS Sequoia further enhances the MacBook Air experience with features like iPhone Mirroring, allowing users to interact with their iPhone directly from their Mac. Safari gets an overhaul with Highlights, Reader, Video Viewer, and Distraction Control. Gaming is improved with Personalized Spatial Audio and Game Mode, along with a growing library of titles. Window tiling is made easier, and the new Passwords app offers secure storage for credentials.

Apple Intelligence

The most significant advancement is the integration of Apple Intelligence. This suite of AI-powered tools enhances user productivity and creativity with features like Image Playground, Genmoji, and Writing Tools. The seamless integration of ChatGPT into Writing Tools and Siri further amplifies the device’s capabilities, providing users with access to a vast knowledge base and intelligent assistance.

Pricing and Availability

The new MacBook Air is available in 13-inch and 15-inch models, catering to different user preferences. The 13-inch model starts at $999, while the 15-inch model starts at $1,199. Education pricing $899 further enhances the device’s affordability, making it an attractive option for students.

The new MacBook Air with M4 is available for pre-order starting 5 March, with availability beginning on Wednesday, March 12.